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| Europe |
| French Deaths Up Sharply in Hot August |
| 2003-08-29 |
| Edited with disdain: In the most startling figures yet, French health officials said Friday that 11,435 more people died during the sweltering first two weeks of August than during the same period in recent years. The number far exceeded the government’s initial estimates of the death toll from the blistering heat and was 4,200 more deaths than France suffered in road accidents in the whole of 2002. From Aug. 1-15, when much of Europe baked in record temperatures, nearly 800 more people died each day in France than usual, according to the figures from the Health Ministry. "These figures were calculated in an extremely precise manner," said Gilles Brucker, director of the Health Surveillance Institute that put the death toll together. The toll embroiled the center-right government in fresh accusations that it reacted too slowly to the crisis. Many victims were elderly, dying alone at home or in overwhelmed hospitals and nursing homes. "dying alone at home", remember that statement. In a statement, the Health Ministry did not directly link the death toll to the heat and called the figures "provisional." But a ministry spokeswoman, Annick Gardies, conceded that "many" deaths were due to the extreme temperatures. Gardies said some could have died from hyperthermia, which means their body temperature exceeded 104 degrees Fahrenheit, while chronically ill people could have been weakened by the heat and killed. The heat is feared to have killed more than 2,000 people elsewhere in Europe. The highest official estimates came from Portugal, with 1,300 deaths, and the Netherlands, with 500-1,000. In Britain, there were 907 more deaths registered during the week ending Aug. 15, compared with the average for the period from the previous five years, the Office for National Statistics said. Britain - 907, Europe(minus France)- 2,000, France - 11,435 The Health Department said there was "no way of knowing" if the heat wave caused the rise in deaths, although it was "fair to assume" that some resulted from the high temperatures. No kidding. August is the traditional month for summer vacation in France, and many have accused families of leaving their elderly relatives at home during the heat. Doctors have cited heat stroke and dehydration as often the cause of death. Packed their bags and went off on holiday leaving grandma and grandpa to die slowly alone. Over 11 thousand dead in France. In an average year, 175 Americans die from extreme heat, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site. Tell me again why we should respect French opinion on anything. |
| Posted by:Steve |
| #10 Yeah, I'm ashamed. Yeah... really. They still suck, by the way. There's just less of them. |
| Posted by: tu3031 2003-8-29 9:52:47 PM |
| #9 If about 600 people died in the Chicago heatwave--extrapolate to the population of France....2.7 million people in Chicago vs 59.6 million in continental France = 13,200; so I guess the French did better than Second City! http://www.insee.fr/en/ffc/pop_age4.htm"> Many of the people died in nursing homes which were understaffed with LPN type nurses who didn't recognize the symptoms of hyperthermia--as it is so rare in a northern climate. One home lost 10 out of 79 residents--having only 4 LPN's one nurse--and of course an administrator. HTTP://www.lemonde.fr/article/0.5987,3226--331511-,00.html Shame on all of you for using this tragedy to bash the French one more time! |
| Posted by: Not Mike Moore 2003-8-29 5:12:11 PM |
| #8 Chuck, thank you for reminding me why socialized medicine sucks it for beer money. The part about no French patient ever asking to wash was pretty funny, though... |
| Posted by: Celissa 2003-8-29 5:01:27 PM |
| #7 Consider it done, Ned. On the bright side, many of the elderly that died probably fought for France in WW2 against the Nazi occupation. Isn't it great to see the thanks their nation gives them? ( Sarcasm. Heavy sarcasm. ) |
| Posted by: Charles 2003-8-29 4:55:59 PM |
| #6 Amazing. France goes on vacation and lets their unattended elderly croak from heat stroke. It also appears many of the vacationers couldn't even be bothered to cut short their holidays to retreive their relatives from the morgues. What a disgusting and rotten society! Remember how these 10,000+ old folks died and were left to rot next time the French say ANYTHING negative about America. This will always be something to throw back in their hypocritical, cynical, amoral, duplicitous, sneering faces. |
| Posted by: Ned 2003-8-29 4:06:53 PM |
| #5 This should work out well for France in the long run.....10,000 less pensioners that the welfare state has to pay off, the Unions can continue on with their 10 hour work weeks and 6 month vacations and can continue to retire at age 35 or whateverthefuck nonsense those socialist mafia type have going on. |
| Posted by: debbie 2003-8-29 3:56:47 PM |
| #4 I was in Chicago for the big heat wave of 1995, and our critical care program took care of a number of the victims. The s--t hit the fan over the number of deaths (~ 600). Mayor Daley had to do a major mea culpa and completely revamped the city's shelter program for seniors. In a word, he took responsibility and fixed the problem. Wonder if there is anyone, anyone at all in France who will do the same? |
| Posted by: Steve White 2003-8-29 3:54:38 PM |
| #3 I read in a blog somewhere that a lot of the old folks in Paris stayed alive by camping out at the local McDonald's which are air conditioned, have cheap (although imperialist) food and ice in the water. The French are naturally wondering how to spin this. |
| Posted by: Yank 2003-8-29 3:39:01 PM |
| #2 Narcissism and socialized medicine combine to form a deadly brew. Pretty disgusting. A thought, I wonder how the heat related death rates ran with the native French versus the enclaves of Muslim immigrants. Hmmmmm, I wonder... |
| Posted by: Alaska Paul 2003-8-29 3:34:45 PM |
| #1 From the blog Fainting in Coyles My father lives in France and is ill. Thus has to go hospital for a week or so. A month back he did this before. He had the op and was left attached to a bank of monitors alonmgside 51 other patients. The nurses spend there time in a control room watching the screens for flatlines. After couple of days recuperation he asked if he could use the shower, no problem came the response from the cardiologist.. Consternation in the control room. There are 2 baths and one shower for 51 people. However no patient had ever asked to wash before, so the three rooms were store cupboards. After half an hours’ work the shower was freed for use. Great thought father, human again. |
| Posted by: Chuck Simmins 2003-8-29 2:30:57 PM |